Let us have a countering session with regard to one person's view of ...

The article started with a catchy title, ?8 home buying secrets your real estate agent won?t tell you?.

It peaked my interest, after coming from a long time experience with the LAPD, and some people?s world view of those involved in my previous profession, I was intrigued.

However, after getting through the article, It seemed that something was amiss. This was not a ?general things to watch out for posting on this blog?? ? It seemed like a personal attack on real estate agents in general. Almost making everyone of us look as if we?d throw the baby out with the bathwater, if we had a chance.

?Your agent is your agent??
I suppose the attempt here was to tell the consumer, the buyer or seller of the home to stay in control. Also, it seems to drive the point home about your agent is someone that works for you, someone that you hired. Okay, from an agent to consumer, that is the way it should be. No one likes to be pushed around. The High-pressure sales games and tactics are a thing of the past, if anyone operated like that in real estate circles today they would be the number 1 target on Yelp.

?Only fools fall in love??
This topic is almost talked about as if a Real Estate agent has a secret power in influencing a buyer to do something they don?t want to do. It is true, that we have the real estate experience, but to ?set up? someone when it comes to making a bad real estate decision, that is so Circa 1980?s. Agents look at representing buyers as a future sale. They should be approaching real estate from an investors perspective and relaying that to their clients. The best spot any home buyer can be in would be to buy, live, hold, rent and buy. BLHRB ? When real estate agents, those I know do, approach home buying in this manner ? It does not come down to the buyer loving the home, it just makes sense.

?Be willing to walk away??
I get this one. As a buyer, remember to keep your decision to cancel the real estate transaction, if things don?t go your way, dangling in front of your real estate agent like wearing a necklace of Kryptonite when on a date with Superman. That level of stress is super and will be very much appreciated by your Realtor. Seriously, are we in high school? Any agent that is in business today will know how to negotiate a real estate transaction. Telling your real estate agent that you are willing to cancel the entire deal if you don?t get what you want from the seller could equate to a buyers destruction. Tread lightly on this one and if you are working with a Realtor, talk with them, they typically speak the same language as you?

Time is on your side?
Probably the worst point of advice thus far. Time is not on your side in a constrictive real estate market. While you are being told by this Author to stand in the middle of the street and flex your muscles and shake your fist, you may have another buyer swoop in and buy the home. This lesson and it?s presentation depends on the real estate agent you have representing you. The time frames that are contractual should be discussed within in the Buyers Briefing between you and your chosen real estate professional. However, be careful and make sure you watch the market, know?s its current levels with regard to inventory or it being a buyers or a seller market, before you start enforcing the luxury of time.click here to view our Santa Clarita prices and inventory pages

Your agent is not your friend?
Agents are salesmen. Agents earn a commission only if they sell your something. I agree. However, we have been working with several buyers that have exceeded the 3 year mark as of late. Are they Super Serious Buyers? I think they are in their minds. We do the recon, I keep advising them when new listings hit the market. We show the properties and write the offers. Some write offers lower than asking price. Some have financing that is not attractive to most of the real estate sellers of the world who would rather have a cash or conventional offer. They want to buy a home, but they are not putting out a fire ? We totally get it.

At the end of the day this is how our mindset is. You buying this home ? the one we are working on getting you, that?s great. It will pay my team and I a commission, we will be able to pay some bills and maybe save a little. Thank you for that. However that is not the ?big pay off?. The ?Big Pay off?, is the fact we will do such a good job for you in the process, you won?t shut up about us. You will write reviews for us on Yelp, Google, and the other ?review sites?. You will tell your family, friends and work associates about The Paris911 Team at REMAX of Santa Clarita at the very moment you hear them wanting to do anything with regard to real estate.

Most real estate agents have this view. I?ll never forget something I heard Jeffrey Gitomer say and I?m paraphrasing, All Things being equal, friends would rather do business with friends. All things being not so equal, friends would still rather do business with friends. The real estate agent of today is in the friend business or they are not in the business any longer.

The listing agent just might be your best friend?
Great advice for any real estate buyer if they don?t mind being thrown under the bus. Who is the listing agent within contract with? Who knows the seller?s bottom line? Who will know your qualification or approval amount and what you can offer at your maximum? Yes ? the listing agent would if you went with them. We call this dual agency, the agent representing both the buyer and the seller of a home, condo or town-home. In some states this ?dual agency? is illegal. In California, it only has to be disclosed and agreed upon by all parties within a real estate transaction. One more thing, my experience of having been blessed to have worked with a lot of Real Estate sellers, is the fact that they are not too comfortable when we bring the buyer to the table. It?s always talked about, the listing of the home, the amount they need out of the home, and I have a fiduciary responsibility to keep that secret and to represent the seller of the home to the best of my ability. When I?m representing a seller, I am playing enforcer. I want the buyer to get their contingencies removed as soon as possible. I?m wrangling the lender to make sure the buyer is doing their due diligence and that the lender is not asleep at the wheel. I am a tyrant to buyers when I?m on the sellers side of any real estate transaction.

However, when I am on the buyers side of a transaction, that is a whole different story. That is when I?m running the interference for the buyer. I?m getting what they want from the seller. I am avoiding any removing of contingencies until the point the buyer is 100% certain they want to still purchase the home, condo or town-home. I enforce the request for repairs, disclosures, as compared with the home inspection report, the termite report and the Natural Hazards and clue reports. I have vowed to never have any of our buyers lose a deposit when wanting to cancel a deal ? That vow has never been broken. I have also made it my real estate team?s mission to cover, protect and provide safety to our Real Estate buyers, not in accordance with purchase price, but in accordance with our ?public service? background.

There is no such thing as an embarrassingly low offer?
The preface to the entry into this part of the article had to do with a property that has been sitting on the market without any activity on it. Depending on the market, this could be a buyers best friend. If we are in a buyers real estate market and if properties are just sitting collecting dust ? Firing off a lower than asking price offer may be just what the doctor ordered. However, if we are in a constrictive inventory situation and if properties are selling in a matter of hours, that advice will be the worst ever given. This is the exact reason that you need to have a sit down with a real estate representative in their offices to discuss the market and the strategies that have been working with their buyers lately. How does your prospective real estate agent handle the presentation of the offer? How do they start the negotiation? What do they think about Verbal Agreements? Ask questions and interview more than one agent before deciding on who to ?hunker down? with in the real estate trenches. Attend a Santa Clarita real estate buyers briefing at our REMAX offices

On-line real estate companies save you money?
It?s no secret ? Redfin has their agents, they are a lead generation brokerage BTW, give back a portion of their earned commission to the buyers that use their services in the form of closing costs. There is also a split due back to redfin from the agent using their lead generation company. Therefore if an agent works in the Redfin family, their commission can be more than 50% less than if they were working with a non redfin client. You?d think that this would be all the buzz on the consumers end. They give money out of their commission back to the client in the form of closing costs!!! They will save the real estate buyer or seller money!!!

I suppose a real estate agent would rather make their entire paycheck instead of giving some of it to a lead generation company or in the form of closing costs in which we can typically get the seller to pay them most of the time. When you are buying a home, it is about who is representing you. How is the local Santa Clarita real estate agent?s reputation amongst other real estate professionals? Are they liked or hated? If the other sharks cannot stand them, then, you hitching your trailer to theirs will cause you to not get what you want.

Do some local searches for real estate buyer agents or if you are in our neck of the woods, Santa Clarita real estate agents. See who pops up in Google?s search pages, organically, not within the sponsored ads(those can be bought). Google has quite the scrubber to only return results that they deem as being experts and as the best in the real estate field. Be safe, search well and let us know when you are ready to move.

Connor and Paris MacIvor are Realtors in Santa Clarita CA with the REMAX of Valencia CA Brokerage.? They realized at the beginning of their real estate career the importance of being able to be there for their clients - 100% of the time. This blog is about Seller Representation and constant real estate market updates by Factual Numbers provided by the independent Research Firm we hired for our Real Estate sellers and buyers.? Enjoy the Data by The Paris911 Team at REMAX of Valencia CA.

Tagged as: agents, better agents, connor macivor, Real Estate, realtors, realty, santa clarita

Source: http://realtor.paris911.com/2012/12/19/let-us-have-a-countering-session-with-regard-to-one-persons-view-of-real-estate-agents/

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Google+ Hangouts: not just for catching up with college friends.

Google+ Hangouts: A Smart, Free Small Business Tool

www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Don't let the social-media leanings of Google+ fool you. Among the personal sharing and communication features lurks Google Hangouts, a handy collaboration feature for your small business.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessComputing/posts/306622886123095

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South Africa complete long road to the top

By Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE | Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:10am GMT

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - South Africa celebrated their long-heralded arrival at the summit of test cricket in 2012 while West Indies enjoyed their first world title since the team's 1970s heyday with a maiden Twenty20 trophy.

The giddy heights proved too much for England whose year-long reign as the number one test nation ended at Lord's with a 2-0 series thumping by Graeme Smith's South Africa in August.

The Proteas appear determined to build a dynasty as they backed up their coronation with a 1-0 series win in Australia to finish an exhausting year unbeaten in 10 tests, with nine of them coming on tour.

Smith, who became the most-capped captain of all time during 2012, could rely on world-class performers throughout his side.

The fearsome fast bowling trio of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander were supplemented by the evergreen all-round talents of Jacques Kallis while Hashim Amla can lay claim to being the most consistent batsman in world cricket.

West Indies have had little to celebrate since their all-conquering days ended in the early 1990s, but victory over hosts Sri Lanka in the World Twenty20 final gave the Caribbean side their biggest prize since the one-day championship in 1979.

Marlon Samuels blasted a 56-ball 78 after flamboyant Chris Gayle failed with the bat in the 36-run win. But Gayle made amends with his rendition of the horse-riding dance made famous by South Korean pop sensation Psy in his hit "Gangnam Style".

Sri Lanka's master batsman Kumar Sangakkara was named ICC cricketer of the year in September after scoring 1,444 runs in 14 tests and Australia captain Michael Clarke became the first to score four double-centuries in a calendar year.

Clarke started the year with an unbeaten 329 against India in Sydney, added 210 against the same team in Adelaide and torched South Africa with double tons in consecutive home tests.

The captain's heroics were not enough to defeat the Proteas whose 309-run win in the third and final test in Perth spoiled Ricky Ponting's last international match.

The hard-bitten 38-year-old signed off his career with only eight runs in his final innings to finish with 13,378 runs in tests, the second-highest tally after Sachin Tendulkar.

While Ponting strode off into the sunset after naming his final test, the 39-year-old Tendulkar hung on, his declining output of runs flattered briefly by his 100th international century in a one-day match against Bangladesh in March.

With the retirements of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the untouchable Tendulkar remained the last of a golden generation of Indian batsmen and, for growing numbers of frustrated fans, an impediment to the team's regeneration.

England's 2-1 test series win in India in December, their first there since 1985 and India's first home series defeat in eight years, underlined the point.

Alistair Cook thrived as England captain with the bat and in the field after replacing the retired Andrew Strauss before the series.

LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP

Match-fixing continued to haunt the game in 2012. Former Pakistan and Essex leg-spinner Danish Kaneria was banned for life by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after being found guilty of corruption.

His Essex team mate Mervyn Westfield was jailed for four months and banned from cricket for five years after pleading guilty to the ECB charge of accepting money to underperform.

India's cricket board banned one uncapped player for life for corruption and handed out lesser punishments to four others in June.

A TV sting by a broadcaster from the same country led to six umpires from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka being provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council after appearing to agree to spot-fix matches.

There was better news for fans in Pakistan when the country welcomed back international cricket for the first time in more than two years, with two T20 exhibition matches in October.

The Pakistan All Star XI played an International XI in Karachi under a security blanket of more than 5,000 police and paramilitary personnel, the first international match since militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March 2009, killing six policeman and a van driver.

England continued their love-hate relationship with adopted son Kevin Pietersen, the South Africa-born batsman dumped from the test team after admitting to sending provocative text messages about his then-captain Strauss to members of the South Africa test side.

Following a public apology and a renewed commitment to playing for England in all three forms of the game, the 32-year-old blasted 186 against India in Mumbai in his second test back after returning to the national fold.

One sadness for South Africa was the exit of Mark Boucher, the wicketkeeper forced to quit international cricket after a bail struck his left eye during a tour match against Somerset.

India welcomed back Yuvraj Singh after a long battle with a rare form of lung cancer while retired leg-spinner Shane Warne, once the world's most deadly bowler, teased Australia with talk of a comeback before the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013.

Australia's David Warner helped rewrite the record books by scoring the fastest century by a test opener in his 69-ball ton against India in Perth. Bangladesh's Abul Hasan became the first number 10 to score a ton on debut in more than 100 years with his 113 in the second home test against West Indies in November.

Opening batsman Richard Levi thundered the fastest international T20 century with a 45-ball century for South Africa against New Zealand in Hamilton, smashing a record 13 sixes on his way to an unbeaten 117.

But South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir held a much less enviable record - he was belted for 260 runs by Australia's batsmen in Adelaide, the most runs conceded in test cricket without taking a wicket.

(Editing by Robert Woodward)

Source: http://feeds.reuters.com/~r/reuters/UKSportsNews/~3/pLbV0hKsntc/uk-yearender-cricket-idUKBRE8BI04420121219

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Vaccination workers gunned down in Pakistan

Athar Hussain / Reuters

Family members of Nasima Bibi, a female worker of an anti-polio drive campaign who was shot by gunmen, mourn at a hospital morgue in Karachi on Dec. 18.

Rehan Khan / EPA

A rescue worker ties the feet of one of the Polio vaccination workers at a mortuary.

Reuters -- Gunmen shot five health workers on an anti-polio drive in a string of attacks in Pakistan on Tuesday, officials said, raising fears for the safety of workers immunizing children against the crippling disease.

It was not clear who was behind the shootings, but Taliban insurgents have repeatedly denounced the anti-polio campaign as a Western plot.

Health officials suspended the immunization campaign in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city of 18 million people. Continue reading.

Previously on PhotoBlog:

Rizwan Tabassum / AFP - Getty Images

A Pakistani mother mourns over her daughter, who was killed while on the job as a polio vaccination worker, at a hospital morgue following an attack by gunmen in Karachi on Dec. 18. Gunmen on motorbikes shot dead five female Pakistani polio vaccination workers on Tuesday, police said, highlighting resistance to the country's immunization campaign. Four were killed in three different incidents in the sprawling port city and the fifth in the northwestern city of Peshawar, on the second day of a nationwide three-day drive against the disease, which is endemic in Pakistan.

?

Fareed Khan / AP

Pakistani rescue workers carry the dead body of a female polio worker, killed by unknown gunmen, at the morgue of local hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 18. Gunmen killed several people working on a government polio vaccination campaign in two different Pakistani cities on Tuesday, officials said. The attacks were likely an attempt by the Taliban to counter an initiative the militant group has long opposed.

?

Muhammed Muheisen / AP

Images of daily life, political pursuits, religious rites and deadly violence.

Source: http://photoblog.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/18/15993452-polio-vaccination-workers-gunned-down-in-pakistan?lite

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Gun Control: A Misguided Focus on Mental Illness (Little green footballs)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/271723952?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Effective approaches to Internet Advertising Ad for your Online Web ...

Web advertising internet helps your business grow and expand globally due to the popularity of internet and its mass exposure among the masses. This is common knowledge in any advertising agency. Los Angeles, serving as one of the world?s best cities for advertising firms, provides many services in web and media advertising.

What exactly Internet Advertising is all about?

Advertising media Internet helps businesses spread their wings across the world. Currently, almost every industry uses it. People know advertising Internet through search engine marketing, SEO or Internet marketing and web marketing. It plays a vital role in the modern Internet business world.

For an effective Internet advertising plan, it is good to use service sites such as MSN, Google and Yahoo. Internet advertising has a cost-effective approach. It captures the targeted enquiries related to a product and sales online, which results in a growth for the business. Internet advertising is a billion dollar industry that has taken over the usual methods of product and services advertising.

Numbers always speak. The number of people using Internet is growing with each passing day. In Australia, most individuals and business people make use of the search engines for buying products or services. Consumers spend enough time and money on the Internet. Customers find it safe and reliable to shop online due to IT security systems that overcome fraud.

Internet advertising applies a variety of methods as compared to traditional marketing. The web site content has to be cleverly written such that it calls for consumers? attention and generates visitors to the web site. With the growing need for web sites along with Internet demand, it has become essential to develop more, systematic strategies for online marketing. Enroll in online marketing. Earn profits for the business on the web.

Is Web Advertising Internet That Effective?

For people who are searching for solutions on the web, which could make a difference to their businesses, much opinions and comparatively cheap offers await.? The so-called ?web experts? and other ?wannabe? ply on the Internet to float their quotations on the web.

If these experts and advisers are not capable of getting listings for their own parent companies, how could the advice be relevant to others? Some so-called advisers such as accountants, business advisers and IT managers may have enough theoretical knowledge in online marketing. However, if their business does not expand due to exposure on the Internet, it is recommended to be cautious of their credibility in the market.

It is recommended to seek the advice of professionals who will guide you appropriately on marketing your business on the Internet. These professionals are experienced enough and their solutions are from their own experiences.

Internet advertising agency who claim to be on top, do not back up their claims by theories or real-time work experiences. Consumers get a chance to question their credibility for under performances on search engine listings. Get Information: Ask the experts with a realistic approach to online marketing. The experts need to be from the field of web development, web design and of course, online marketing. See to it that experts support their claims with competent portfolios. Projects that go live and are successfully generating real income for clients and further make a noticeable difference to their business.

Many advertising internet agency help online marketing. They employ executives who guide the entry-level businesspersons trying their hands on online marketing. Experts help to have ranking of the business on the front page of search engines to capture target audience.

Email Etiquette: E manners are the basic rule that applies to all people on the Internet. No matter whether the person is an ordinary individual or a hard-core professional, people have to abide by the set rules. Show consideration for the other party on the Internet. When it comes to online etiquettes, business-to-business (B2B) parties have to comply with the rules strictly. Business-to-business etiquette is an evolving behavior model. It means how to present self-business and represent other companies on online networking. However, bad conduct online can spoil a good business prospect.

Internet marketing solutions include detailed solutions for hosting a web site. Web hosting services offer a dedicated approach to customer support. Service includes the businessperson?s domain name. The domain name has to suit the businessperson?s identity. Web hosting services register domain names for people. They offer an all-inclusive range of solutions that they customize to suit the individual?s needs. Hosting an individual web site is easy, reliable and moneymaking as well.

Businesspersons are at liberty to choose from shared or dedicated web host plans. They can choose from Windows server platforms or UNIX, at the local or international level. The web site comes with support scripts such as PHP and ASP to make it more communicative with users. Database support with the help of SQL Server, MYSQL and MS Access is available in the plan of web site hosting. The database support software stores large volumes of data obtained from web site visitors.

Online marketers need to consider reasonable online marketing tools, which are capable to do the following things:

1.They need to host and design a web site.

2.They also need to attain the domain with technical assistance.

3.Next, they need to organize and upload files.

4.Finally, they need to organize campaigns for traffic generation.

All these essential online marketing tools are available through web site packages, which online marketers may avail anytime. An online marketer needs to pick a package favorable to the web site?s requirements.

Mailing Lists

Online marketers, when visit the Bulk Mail folder of their e-mails, interpret nothing but web site advertisements, which is known as e-mail marketing, a type of online marketing.

It greatly helps to enhance online marketing businesses. Here, ?safe mailing lists? works to have spam free e-mails. This is easily accessible, as online marketers have to look for mailing lists for sale to start e-mail marketing.

Data Submitters

This is a kind of money-saving online marketing tool, which works miraculously. Online marketers, if possess data submitters of their own may grab enormously huge web site traffic.

E-books

Integration of an e-book for customers to download also makes an affordable online marketing tool. This is because, at a relatively cheaper price, online marketers preserve their customers hoping for more and visiting the site regularly.

When it comes to internet advertising, it is worth to consider TrafficSoar.com, so why wait just log on and find more such interesting information on the site.

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Source: http://www.trafficsoar.com/2012/12/web-advertising-internet-advertising-media-internet-ads-internet-advertising-web-agency-internet/

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Israel to evict settlers from 4 Hebron homes

JERUSALEM (AP) ? The Israeli government says it will evict two Jewish settler families from property they seized in the volatile West Bank city of Hebron.

As part of a campaign to tighten Jewish control of Hebron, two settler families took over four stalls in the town's Arab wholesale market a decade ago and turned them into homes.

The plots are owned by a Jewish family that left the city before Jordan took it over in the late 1940s. Palestinians have been renting it since as protected tenants.

On Monday, Israel it would clear the homes by April 24. It did not rule out the settlers' request to transfer the property to other Jews because the property belongs to Jews.

Hebron is home to 180,000 Palestinians. Several hundred ultranationalist settlers also live there.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-evict-settlers-4-hebron-homes-121800429.html

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China appoints new top official for export powerhouse Guangdong

BEIJING (Reuters) - China announced on Tuesday the appointment of rising star Hu Chunhua as Communist Party boss for the southern export powerhouse of Guangdong, the country's richest and most liberal province.

Hu will take over from reform-minded politician Wang Yang, who undertook restructuring the economy away from an export-driven model and grappled with rising social tensions among migrant workers.

Hu's appointment was announced in a brief statement carried by the official Xinhua news agency. It said Wang Jun will replace Hu as party chief in Inner Mongolia. But the article did not say where Wang Yang, seen by many in the West as a beacon of political reform, will be moved to.

Reuters reported last month that Hu, the former Inner Mongolia party chief, was tipped to take over as party chief in Guangdong.

Hu, 49, is part of the so-called "sixth generation" of potential national leaders born in the 1960s, after the generations headed by Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Xi Jinping.

Hu Chunhua spent two decades in restive and remote Tibet, where he learned to speak Tibetan, rare for a Han Chinese official. While there, he came under the wing of Hu Jintao, the outgoing president.

The two Hus are not related despite sharing a family name.

In Inner Mongolia, Hu Chunhua, also known as "Little Hu", has been referred to as a future president. While there, Hu Chunhua oversaw rapid economic growth and dealt successfully with protests last year by ethnic Mongols.

Hu Chunhua came to Inner Mongolia following a brief stint in Hebei, the arid province which surrounds Beijing, where he was rapidly moved after a scandal over tainted milk in which at least six children died and thousands became ill.

Hu Chunhua remains something of an enigma, even in China. He has given few clues about his deeper policy beliefs. One of the best known things about him is that he does not appear to dye his hair jet black like many politicians.

In meetings with the public, Hu Chunhua comes across as low key and self effacing, in line with an image of a loyal, humble Communist Party member. People who have met him describe him as relaxed, easy-going and spontaneous, unlike stiffer party leaders.

Despite having a reputation as more of a moderate and a reformer, Hu Chunhua sent back to jailed Inner Mongolia's most notable Mongol dissident, Hada, almost as soon as he completed a 15-year sentence for separatism in late 2010.

(Reporting by Sui-Lee Wee; Editing by Ron Popeski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/china-appoints-top-official-export-powerhouse-guangdong-110104731.html

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Starbucks promises to pay more UK tax

LONDON (AP) ? Starbucks bowed to mounting pressure over its tax affairs in Britain and revealed Thursday that it would pay about 10 million pounds ($16 million) in each of the next two years.

Having been slammed by the country's lawmakers of "immorally" avoiding tax, Starbucks' U.K. managing director Kris Engskov said the firm had agreed to pay more than required by law.

"With the backdrop of these difficult times, in the area of tax, our customers clearly expect us to do more," he told the London Chamber of Commerce.

The Seattle-based coffee company has 700 British outlets, but has paid just 8.6 million pounds in corporation tax in 14 years. Starbucks says this is due to a process involving paying royalties to its European headquarters in the Netherlands.

The company hasn't done anything illegal. Companies operating in Europe can base themselves in any of the 27 European Union nations, allowing them to take advantage of a particular country's low tax rates.

Earlier this week, Parliament's Public Accounts Committee criticized multinationals such as Starbucks, Amazon and Google for "using the letter of tax laws both nationally and internationally to immorally minimize their tax obligations."

Starbucks, which also has been the target of demonstrations by the protest group U.K. Uncut, announced this week that it was reviewing its tax approach.

Engskov said the company was proposing "to pay a significant amount of corporation tax during 2013 and 2014 regardless of whether our company is profitable during these years."

He estimated that would amount to "somewhere in the range of 10 million pounds in each of the next two years."

Labour lawmaker Margaret Hodge, who chaired the parliamentary committee, said Starbucks' change of heart was proof that "people power works."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-12-06-Britain-Starbucks/id-2f1a4081e12a43e6a38c66375cb35286

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Bay Area Men Spreading Cancer Awareness Ready To Shave As ...

Chris Michaels (credit: chrisamichaels/Bay City News)

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) ? With the month of November at an end, many mustachioed Bay Area residents are shaving off their facial hair ? all grown in the name of promoting men?s health issues.

The rapidly growing charity movement, known as Movember, encourages men to grow mustaches to increase awareness about men?s cancers and other health issues.

Money raised by the hirsute participants, who pledge to not shave during the month of November, goes toward initiatives to fight testicular and prostate cancer through the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG Foundation.

PHOTOS: Best Celebrity Moustaches

Berkeley resident Mniska Lamb, 32, has been sporting upper lip hair for the past month in honor of his father who died of cancer two years ago.

The capoeira dance teacher and part-time construction worker put together a team of 13 men that has raised about $1,200 for his first official Movember fundraiser.

Thirty days later, he said, ?It?s been a rough month ? I?m done getting dirty looks.?

Despite the glances from strangers, Lamb said he feels his mustache has helped spread awareness about cancer.

?I try to explain it any chance that I can get,? he said. The campaign pushed him to research the prevalence of prostate and testicular cancer and showed him the generosity of his community.

?I?m really amazed by my community?s support,? Lamb said.

Chris Michaels (pictured above), of Redwood City, encouraged five men from his San Carlos church to participate in the month of facial hair growth after a fellow parishioner died of cancer four months ago.

Michaels, a PR consultant who turned 31 today, said the team raised $100 in memory of their friend.

?It was timely to bring this to the forefront and make men?s health more of an issue,? he said.

Michaels said he usually sports a goatee, but the addition of a handlebar mustache has been somewhat startling to friends and family this past month.

?It looks kind of ridiculous on me and I know it,? he said. ?But I?m happy to tell people this is what I?m doing.?

Today on his birthday and the last day of the month-long fundraiser, Michaels is treating himself to a barbershop visit for an overdue straight-razor shave.

More than $63,000 has been raised by Pat Patterson?s Movember team at the San Francisco-based company Salesforce.com, where he works.

Patterson, 44, who lives in San Jose with his wife and 8- and 10-year-old sons, contributed $435 to his 208-member team.

He likened his mustache to the pink ribbons ubiquitous in breast cancer awareness efforts.

?It certainly starts a conversation ? when I show up somewhere with this mustache,? he said.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Patterson has noticed the Movember movement gain popularity in Europe over the years and then make its way to America.

?I got swept up in the momentum,? he said. This is his first year participating in the fundraiser. However, he said he is eagerly awaiting a shave Saturday morning. ?It?s been fun but I won?t miss it terribly,? he said.

Plus, he said his wife and sons aren?t too keen on his furry face that is usually clean-shaven.

As Patterson noted, the Movember movement has gone global, with more than 854,000 people participating worldwide who raised $126.3 million in 2011, according to the charity?s website. The month-long awareness campaign got its start in Australia in the early 2000s.

In San Francisco, a group of Bay Area men participating in Movember will shave their mustaches Saturday morning at Peoples Barber and Shop at 1259 Polk St. after an 11 a.m. bike ride and parade showing off the ?staches in the Polk Gulch neighborhood.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
?

Source: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/11/30/bay-area-men-spreading-cancer-awareness-ready-to-shave-as-movember-ends/

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Slaughter keeps post on House committee (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS and RSS Feed via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/267598801?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Bridgewater leads Louisville to BCS

A Rutgers defender tackles Louisville tight end Ryan Hubbell during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

A Rutgers defender tackles Louisville tight end Ryan Hubbell during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Piscataway, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Rutgers wide receiver Mark Harrison (81) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Quron Pratt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville in Piscataway, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) ? Banged-up Teddy Bridgewater came off the bench to throw two-second half touchdown passes, and John Wallace kicked a 29-yard field goal with 1:41 left to send Louisville to the BCS with a 20-17 victory against Rutgers on Thursday night.

In a game between one team headed to the Big Ten and another bound for the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big East handed out its second-to-last bid to a school that entered the league during its last massive rebuild in 2005 and watched its athletic program blossom.

The Cardinals will be going to the BCS for the second time, first since 2006.

Louisville (10-2, 5-2) will share this Big East title with Rutgers (9-3, 5-2), Syracuse and possibly even Cincinnati, but the BCS bid will be all theirs. The BCS standings will be used to break the tie and there is no doubt Louisville, with the best overall record in the conference, will be on top.

Bridgewater didn't start a week after getting roughed up in a loss to Connecticut. He broke his left wrist and sprained his right ankle. He entered for the first time in the second quarter and finished with 263 yards passing and threw a pair of TD passes in the third quarter to wipe out a 14-3 deficit.

James Burgess picked off a pass that bounced off Timmy Wright's hands with 3:53 left in Rutgers territory, and Bridgewater hit Andrell Smith on a slant for 30 yards to put Louisville in field goal range. Wallace booted through the short kick to give Louisville the lead.

Rutgers' last chance ended when Gary Nova threw deep, but his receiver stopped short, and Terrell Floyd made an over the shoulder interception with 1:06 left. Nova bent over and grabbed his helmet in disgust.

The Scarlet Knights, the only team that has played in the Big East since it started playing football in 1991, probably will have only one more shot to win the conference for the first time before moving to the Big Ten.

Louisville can add one of the biggest wins in school history to an already memorable week. The Cardinals clinched a spot in the Bowl Championship Series a day after announcing they were joining the ACC.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-29-FBC-Louisville-Rutgers/id-b3973f26b1d84e02a2c542e23c182ad3

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Video: Hot in Hollywood: An American ?Downton Abbey?

>>> back now with a look at the top songs, hollywood buzz and videos, our top of the morning round-up and jason kennedy from e! news is here to take us through it.

>> good morning to you, natalie.

>> topping the charts on itunes, and i love this song, "home" by phillip philips, it's still top of the charts.

>> six months. this is crazy. got a lot of play during the olympics. the best-selling coronation song on " american idol ." couldn't happen to a nicer guy. the fact that we're talking about all these months later is still very impressive.

>> it's a great message, great song. and he is such a nice guy . he was here this week. i think just yesterday, as a matter of fact. so good to see him on the top still. number two on itunes, locked out of heaven by bruno mars, another guy not slowing down.

>> something like 25 million views on youtube. whatever this guy touches turns to gold or in his case platinum, i guess you would say. it's his first single of his upcoming album drops on december 11. and he's got a cult following, young guy, 27 years old, just the beginning for him.

>> so talented. a song and a group i haven't really heard of but they're number three, the lumineers.

>> i've played this for a lot of friends, they're a folk trio, and this has been out a few months, people are catching on. it's catchy, it's different, try it out.

>> all right.

>> i'm listening to it now.

>> "ho hey."

>> okay. sounds perfect. top hollywood stories, and i'm loving this because i'm a huge fan. nbc is now talking about doing an americanized version, right?

>> yeah, called "the guilded age ," a working title, from the producer and writer, it's an american version, takes place in 19th century new york city . it could be on the air as early as fall 2013 . but these period dramas, these period pieces as you know --

>> takes a long time to shoot.

>> absolutely. and if they're done properly, they can be a huge hit. i think this has the makings of a hit.

>> we do love it, though. let's talk about top movies now and "breaking dawn" still at the top of the box office . but this weekend, there's a new challenger in brad pitt .

>> mr. brad pitt coming to a theater near you "killing them softly," nothing like his last movie "moneyball," something where he plays basically a mob enforcer , killing a lot of people. it's a crime drama , a great cast in it, as well. so definitely check this out. early reviews are in, people are loving it.

>> really?

>> loving it, loving it.

>> he has been impressive acting and everything. great. okay. next, viral videos and you've got to love the office prank. and this is the black friday employee prank.

>> we know.

>> this is number one on youtube, right?

>> let's be honest, how crazy are black fridays? especially people are just mobbing the stores. these guys dress up like store employees --

>> at target.

>> and prank the customers. this poor lady, why is this man putting all my things in this cart? and then all of a sudden he goes in there and asks the lady if she can push him around. unsuspected customers, they have no idea what's going on.

>> i guess if you have a red shirt and khakis you too can apply for that job.

>> 8 million views on that.

>> that's amazing. and lastly, we showed this a little bit earlier in the morning gangnam style, this is a house, once again, that has gone "gangnam style" for the holidays in austin, texas, as you see choreographed with the lights and everything.

>> 25,000 lights. can you imagine being the neighbor? they're doing it again.

>> and looks like they do have neighbors close by.

>> it's got 1 million views, doesn't have 840 million views like the music video . i was hoping for a cameo but it didn't happen. that's kind of crazy. i feel bad for the neighbors.

>> and that electric bill is not going to be great either. thanks so much, jason kennedy , as always, great job.

Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50009247/

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As fun as skin cancer detection charts get - Holy Kaw!

Skin cancer is no laughing matter but seeing as early detection is key, we?re all for making a eye-catching chart on recognizing the signs of this disease.

I Heart Guts is looking for dermatologist input on their creation, so feel free to pass this on to any you may know or throw in your own two cents if your credentials make the grade.

Full story at I Heart Guts via Laughing Squid.

Early detection is key.

Source: http://holykaw.alltop.com/as-fun-as-skin-cancer-detection-charts-get

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How to illuminate your space with LED lighting Home Improvement ...

Posted by admin on Nov 28, 2012

LEDs are an excellent example of how such advanced technology as electricity can be used. Lighting is one of the most essential amenities of a house. It creates an atmosphere, make a house warm, welcoming and spacious. LED lighting can be applicable to any specialty project you can imagine, including lights for cosmetics, gun safes, craft products or led guitar lights. The technology continues to evolve with new LED video screens and sensors.

In comparison to LED bulbs, fluorescent and incandescent lighting requires constant maintenance and wasted energy radiating light in all directions. LEDs emit light in a specific direction and are therefore much more efficient. Low maintenance can save some time and money, in addition to the environmental concern. That is why they were used to the corporate offices for years. Now, this technology can be used in homes, offices or recreation areas.

LEDs are excellent accessories to illuminate any room. Lights are designed in a variety of sizes and colors that allow different parts have different moods. Your most valuable assets (guitars, televisions, home cinema) will look amazing with creative art led lighting. Not only do these lights consume less energy than other types of lighting, but they are produced in a number of sizes and colors such as warm white or cool white, bright or super bright and many others.

Small, compact, slim, and lightweight LED lights can be used for any area that is normally too small for the other bulbs, such as direct wire led under cabinet lighting or lights in bars. Their unique characteristics enable high flexibility in design of indoor and outdoor spaces. They are simple to install and are not as easy breakable as conventional bulbs, which waste a lot of energy as heat. Playing fields, recreation areas, and bars are perfect places for using LED lights because of the absence of glass.

Similar Posts:

Tags: Lighting

Source: http://www.constructionsupplymagazine.com/home-improvement-tips/how-to-illuminate-your-space-with-led-lighting

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American Horror Story, Season 2

Lily Rabe as Sister Mary Eunice and Fredric Lehne as Frank in 'American Horror Story: Asylum.'

Photo by Michael Becker/FX.

Every week in?Slate?s?American Horror Story TV club, J. Bryan Lowder will have an IM conversation with a different?AHS fan. This week, he rehashes episode 2.7 with Abby Ohlheiser, a Slate contributor.

J. Bryan Lowder: Ok, Abby. I?m just going to say it. This evening may be remembered as the night American Horror Story jumped the shark. I don?t want to believe it?you know I?m a big fan of the overblown melodrama and camp sensibility of AHS?but there were a few moments in this episode where I paused the DVR and just shook my head. I mean, I was still kind of turned on by the hubris of having Frances Conroy as the Angel of Death, that fakeout where it looked like Sister Jude was going to be a freaking ghost for a minute, and poor, poor Lana being thrown from the frying pan into the fire and then basically into the core of the sun, but the more rational part of me just couldn?t deal with all of it at once.

Save me from myself?tell me that it worked for you, please!

Abby Ohlheiser: I'm sorry, Bryan, but I can't save you. I, too, am a fan of this show, but am finding myself mourning the death of the show's last feminist vestiges right now. Sister Jude's revelation that all she really wanted all along was a family elicited an audible sigh from me.

Lowder: Ew, yes, I had blocked that bit out. The most disappointing development in her storyline for me was that when she told the ANGEL OF DEATH to hold up for a minute, her "one last thing" that she needed to do was not burn down Briarcliff and fix all the injustices there, heroine style, but instead confess her hit-and-run to a family that probably didn't want to hear all that (and of course, we find out that their daughter hadn?t actually died). I realize we're on a soul-searching journey with Jude right now, but I'm about ready for her to get back in the real game.

Ohlheiser: Yes! ?unless that girl's dad gets to Jude first. Which, given the way this show is going, wouldn't surprise me.

Lowder: Not at all. But let's back up for a moment. I'm intrigued by your mention of the death of the show's feminist impulses. Was that comment pegged to a specific turn of events? I have to say, if I have to see Lana tortured or raped or just crying in another unimaginable situation one more time, I'm going to call sadism on the part of some writer. And thus far, such actions have been directed at...women.

Ohlheiser: Well, I should say that since our last (much more hopeful) conversation about the show's feminist streak, things have only gone downhill in that regard. So it's been a slow descent. But now that Frances Conroy's Angel of Death (as happy as I am to see her back in this show) has appeared to Jude, Grace [RIP], and Lana, I have a sinking feeling that the women in Briarcliff will only find liberation in death.

Lowder: That's a fascinating way of looking at it?that death is the only way out, especially for the women. I wonder if we're not heading to a Hamlet finish here, with basically everyone in the room dead except for our Horatio, who is, I guess, maybe Bloody Face? That would be a ballsy way to end a show, and somehow very Ryan Murphy. In any case, I'm totally at a loss for where we're going next, but it does seem like everyone who has escaped is getting pulled back to Briarcliff, which is now controlled by our possessed nun friend, Sister Mary Eunice. What did you think of that bitch-slap of a scene between her and Dr. Arden?

Ohlheiser: I mean, I kind of saw it coming. It made me wonder if the evil thing possessing her chose Sister Mary on purpose?she's pretty much Arden's biggest weakness. Or was. Whatever it is she's doing, he clearly is a big central part of it. Now against his will, perhaps, but I'm finding it hard to have much sympathy for him. Especially now that he's grown from the simple sadist doctor we used to know into a Nazi sadist doctor.

Lowder: I know, that Nazi appellation is never really a good look. For me, Sister Mary's power trip has a certain perverse appeal, especially because I've always been attracted to narratives with a villain who knows all your secrets. However, I'm starting to wonder if the number of characters on this show possessing omnipotent or puppeteer-like knowledge?which now includes a demon, presumably an alien, Dr. Threadson and an angel?have reached a critical mass. There are so many people who KNOW ALL, and too much of that feels too oppressive to the normal characters to me. Do you feel any of this, or is it just my weird hang-up?

Ohlheiser: I feel you, though my reaction to the scene itself was a bit "ho, hum." I so very much wanted to love Sister Mary's takedown of Arden, but the thrill is kind of gone since she became omnipotent. I was much more interested in whether the Angel of Death represents more of a threat or of a rival to her. If she's a threat, then it opens up the universe even more, in yet another direction. If she's a rival, then I'll have to beg the writers not to introduce another extended catfight subplot to this show.

Lowder: That's a great point?I?m definitely hoping for threat, but I think it's smart that's the angel is more green than Glinda. An overly strong "good" force would be out of place here; plus, we did hear the angel confess that she does not judge, but only responds to "songs" or "cries." What that bodes for Mary's plans I can't yet discern.

OK, before we go, I just want to take a moment to highlight our favorite lines from this episode. Despite its violent context, I have to say I did enjoy Thredson's delightfully twisted "I can either cut you or strangle you; I don't believe in guns." Did you have a favorite?

Ohlheiser: My favorite was the campy Sister Mary/Devil talking to each other in the same body exchange, where (presumably) Mary's sobbing plea for freedom is shot down by her own "Shut up you stupid sow!" Followed by a delightfully calm, "She likes it here."

Lowder: HA, yes, that was divine! Well, it?s been nice chatting with ?one like me, but fallen;? however, I have other souls to bring mercy to before the night is out. Just sing, Abby, if you need me!

Ohlheiser: Night, Bryan. Here's hoping AHS doesn't need a merciful being of its own next week to rescue it from itself.

Thursday: What other writers and Slate commenters thought about Episode 7.

Source: http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=b2b9cfa45178e6fffc541679bd9dc729

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In the framework of his official visit to Lebanon, President Serzh Sargsyan met with President Michel Suleiman

?

Today, President Serzh Sargsyan has arrived to the Republic of Lebanon of the official visit

At the residence of the President of Lebanon, after the official ceremony of welcoming the President of Armenia, Presidents Serzh Sargsyan and Michel Suleiman conducted private negotiations which were followed by the negotiations in the extended format with the participation of the delegations of the two states.

After the negotiations, there took place the ceremony of signing official documents. In particular, signed were Agreements on the ?Visa free regime for the holders of diplomatic and service passports? and ?Mutual recognition of the higher education and academic titles.?

After the ceremony of document signing, President Serzh Sargsyan planted a tree in the Presidential Garden as a token of the Armenian-Lebanese friendship.

At the Presidential residence, the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and the President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Suleiman recapped the results of the negotiations at the joint press conference.

?

***
Statement by President Serzh Sargsyan at the joint press conference with the President of Lebanon Michel Suleiman

?

?Dear Mr. President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I once again express my thanks to President Suleiman for the invitation to visit the friendly Lebanon and warm welcome extended to the delegation of Armenia. Last year, at the 20th anniversary of Armenia?s independence, we had the honor to host the President of Lebanon in Armenia. This year, the President of the Republic of Armenia is conducting an official visit to Lebanon; the regularity of these visits speaks about the high-level dialogue established between our two countries, high-level relations of our two countries, and the desire to further deepen these relations.

Moments ago, we held productive negotiations with President Suleiman: we have discussed opportunities of engaging new areas in the Armenian-Lebanese cooperation, exchanged views on the international, particularly, Middle East and South Caucasus developments. We have also reiterated that our relations are based on good will, mutual trust and respect.

This year is special, since we mark the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. We have noted with satisfaction that the interparliamentary, cultural, educational and scientific ties have been established, signed were over three dozens of documents, whose number will be augmented during this visit, or to be more precise, has already been augmented by two.

We have agreed to use every opportunity to boost our bilateral economic cooperation. We are glad that in the recent period presence of Lebanon in our economy has become more visible.

I have told President Suleiman about the importance we attach to the cooperation with Lebanon on the international arena. In forming its positions, Armenia takes into consideration pan-Arabic interests and interests of Lebanon in particular.

We are deeply concerned with the situation in Syria and with the fate of the Armenians living there. At the gravest time in our history, the people of Syria had heartily received hundred of thousands of the Armenians, and their pain is our pain.

Armenia has always expressed the viewpoint that the bloodshed must stop. We are against the use of force and violence, and not only in Syria. It is impossible to reach a durable resolution without cessation of all clashes from all sides or without a comprehensive political dialogue, which will take into consideration interests of all Syrians. Armenia welcomes the mission of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General and Arab League, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, aimed at the stabilization of the internal situation and establishment of peace.

Please be assured that if the mentioned above initiatives are called to life, there will be peace in Syria and in the nearest future it will be possible to implement democratic reforms which will reflect the collective will and aspirations of all segments of the Syrian people.

We have also spoken about the NK conflict resolution. We have reiterated that in the South Caucasus, Armenia continues to conduct a policy aimed at the establishment of peace and stability in the region. We rule out any possibility of the use of force and remain true to our commitment to solve the problem through the negotiations with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group. Unfortunately, the neighboring Azerbaijan rejects every proposal of the Minsk Group aimed at the confidence building and continues an unprecedented accumulation of weapons, preparing its people for a new war. It is gaudily proved by pardon extended to the murderer Safarov by the President of Azerbaijan and his glorification. It constitutes the continuation of the murder, conducted on ethnic grounds, and presents a telling example of xenophobia and racism.

The Armenians and Lebanese have always stood out for their love for peace. Today too, we have concurred with President Suleiman that changes which reflect the will of the people should be implemented through peaceful means, without use of force, without victims, without terrorism. We learned with great sorrow the news of a terrorist act in Beirut on October 19 and did not hesitate to condemn such a repulsive act which, we hope, will not shatter peace in Lebanon. Present situation in the Middle East is tightly linked to the security of Armenia. We are deeply interested in a speedy resolution of the existing problems and are ready to assist the process within the limits of our capabilities.

In conclusion, I wish that the historical procession of our brotherly nations will be incessant and upward. Let peace, justice and optimism be our constant companions.?

?

Source: http://www.president.am/en/press-release/item/2012/11/26/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-official-visit-to-Lebanon-meeting-President/

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Is a Virtual Phone System the Best Solution for Your Home Business?

If you are considering a home-based business, you have probably already put some thought into the communications solution you will use. While many people may choose to add a second landline or even use their existing landline and mobile phone, this makes it difficult to organize and handle calls. A virtual phone system is the perfect solution.

Cost Effective

The first reason why you should consider a virtual phone system as your communications solution of choice has to do with its cost effectiveness. Adding a second landline can be incredibly expensive, especially if jacks and splitters need to be installed. This is not true with a virtual system; multiple telephone numbers can be used with a single landline and the cost is much less than that associated with a standard landline. While an additional landline with unlimited long distance and basic features may cost as much as $80 a month, a virtual system may cost as little as $20 a month, depending on the type selected and the included features.

Packed with Features

Another great thing about a virtual phone system is that it comes fully loaded with all of the features that can help to make your business a success. The auto attendant feature automatically answers all of your calls and provides your callers with options about how they would like their calls handled. If they simply want information, you might choose to set up an information hotline so that you are not required to repeat the same thing to each caller. If they would like to speak with you directly, they can either ring through to you or be put through to your voicemail. Some systems even come with toll-free numbers and vanity numbers that will make your business more professional and memorable.

Better Customer Service

A virtual phone system has everything that is necessary for you to provide your customers with the best customer service experience possible. Thanks to the myriad of features that are available, you can ensure that each and every customer contact is a pleasant one. The auto attendant feature always greets each caller with courtesy and routes calls perfectly each and every time. Essentially, your clients and customers will have plenty of options available to them to ensure that they get a first-rate experience each time they call. With call forwarding, you can easily take your business number with you wherever you go.

Better Organization

The ability to track and log your calls and manage everything from a back-office web interface makes organizing your communications system a breeze. Never again will you have to be concerned with forgetting to call customers back or losing important documents in a traditional fax machine. When you travel, you can use call forwarding to ensure that all of your calls reach you. Finally, you can easily distinguish between your personal calls and your business calls thanks to the technology that the virtual phone system provides.

Running a home business can be a time consuming and expensive endeavor?especially in the beginning. By electing to use a virtual phone system, you can save time and money and provide your customers with the best service possible.

About Kevin John

When choosing your new iTeleCenter, you can choose from 1800 numbers or toll free numbers, or you can opt to pick a vanity number. Vanity numbers allow you to spell out a word such as 800-555-DIET, or maybe an easy-to-remember number sequence such as 888-555-1234.

Source: http://www.bestarticlepost.com/261284/is-a-virtual-phone-system-the-best-solution-for-your-home-business?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-a-virtual-phone-system-the-best-solution-for-your-home-business

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